Food / Water Safety and One Health
Project Lead(s)
Senior Research Fellow
Professor
Project Background
Food-borne microorganisms are major pathogens affecting food safety and cause human illness worldwide because of the consumption of foodstuff, mainly animal products contaminated with vegetative pathogens or their toxins. Most of these microbes have zoonotic importance resulting in a significant impact on both public health and economic sectors. Bacteria are the causative agents of two-thirds of human food-borne diseases worldwide with high burden in developing countries. The main objective of our research activities on Food and water safety is to determine the bacteriological quality of food (both cooked and raw) and water meant for human consumption as well as the presence of zoonotic bacteria pathogens and antimicrobial residues in food originating from animal origin. These studies determine the bacteria load and identify (zoonotic)pathogens to determine whether they are within the limits acceptable by the Food and drugs authority (FDA). Weconductbacteriological analysis of food and water for producers/companies and advice on strategies to maintain standards of production.
Ongoing Activities
Key Publications
Adjei VY, Mensah GI, Parry-Hanson AK, Tano-Debrah K, Ayi I, Addo KK (2022). Microbial Safety of Beef Along Beef Value Chains in the Ashaiman Municipality of Ghana. Front. Vet. Sci.9:813422. Doi:103389/fvets.2022.813422
Mensah, G. I., Adjei, V. Y., Vicar, E. K., Atsu, P. S., Blavo, D. L., Johnson, S. A. M., & Addo, K. K. (2022). Safety of Retailed Poultry: Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance in Escherichia coli From Raw Chicken and Poultry Fecal Matter From Selected Farms and Retail Outlets in Accra, Ghana. Microbiology Insights. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786361221093278
Tingan, T. K., Mensah, G. I., Agyekum, E. B., Amanor, I. B., Addo, S. O., Ayamdoo, Y. I., Sarpong Duah, M., Mosi, L., Addo, K. K. (2022) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria, not Mycobacterium bovis, are a significant cause of TB-like lesions observed in slaughtered cattle in Ghana. IJID Regions, 3: 8-14 ISSN 2772-7076,
Mensah, G.I., Vicar, E. K., Feglo, P.K., Acquah, S. E. K., Saba, C.S.K., Ofori Addo, S., Ziem, J. B., Addo, K. K. (2018). Bacteriological Quality and Antibiotic Residues in Raw Cow Milk at Producer Level and Milk Products at Sale Points in the Northern Region of Ghana. International. Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 34(2): 1-10. https: doi.org/10.9734/IJTDH/2018/46626
Addo, K. K., Adjei, V. Y., Mensah, G. I., Jackson-Sillah, D. (2016). Prevalence of tuberculosis infection in a cohort of cattle that enters the food chain in Accra, Ghana using Bovigam. Mycobacterial Diseases, 6:5. DOI: 10.4172/2161-1068.1000229.
Addo, K. K., Adjei V. Y., Mensah, G. I, Jackson-Sillah, D. (2014). Microbial Quality and Antibiotic Residues in Raw Beef from Selected Abattoirs in Accra, Ghana. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health 6(1): 20-26.
Addo, K. K., Mensah, G. I., Aning, K. G., N. Nartey, Nipah, G. K., Bonsu, C. Akyeh, M. L., Smits, H. L. (2011). Microbiological quality and antibiotic residues in informally marketed raw cow milk within the coastal savannah zone of Ghana. Tropical Medicine and International Health, 16(2): 227–232.
Team
Internal Collaborator(s)
Dr Irene Ayi, Parasitology Department, UG
External Collaborator(s)
Dr Sherry Johnson, School of Veterinary Medicine, UG
Dr. Boi Kikimoto and Dr Benjamin Sasu, National Food Safety lab, Veterinary Services directorate, Ghana
Dr Bonodong Guri, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
Prof Tano-Debrah and Dr. Angela Parry Hansen, Department of Food Science, UG
Dr Ewurabena Bediako and Dr Stanley Obresi, Fisheries Commission Ghana
Dr Daniel Oduro, Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Sciences, UG
Dr. Samuel Duodu and Dr Lydia Mosi, WACCBIP, University of Ghana
Funder(s)
Ghana Atomic Energy Commission
University of Ghana
Fisheries Commission Ghana
Veterinary Services Department
University of Ghana School of Veterinary Medicine
WACCBIP
Afrique One ASPIRE
BANGA Africa Project
UG-ORID